Reasons for Surface Numbness on the Legs

The sensation of numbness on or just below the surface of your legs could be from something as serious as a blood clot or as simple as restricted blood circulation. If numbness persists for several days, see your doctor.

Diabetes

• If you have diabetes and your blood glucose levels climb, you could develop diabetic neuropathy. Bringing your glucose levels under control with insulin could reverse your symptoms.

Hypothyroid

• One symptom of an underactive thyroid—when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain hormones—is leg numbness. Your doctor can test you for hypothyroidism and medication should eliminate symptoms.

Stroke

• A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery and disrupts blood flow to the brain. Symptoms include numbness in the extremities and even paralysis. The National Stroke Association reports that 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

Blood Circulation

• Poor circulation—caused by low blood pressure, tight shoelaces or even sitting in an awkward position—temporarily numbs one or both legs.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can cause numbing in your legs. DVT is often attributed to long flights or car trips—when you’re sitting in the same position for several hours—but can also be genetic. A pulmonary embolism, when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, kills 30,000 to 60,000 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.